Azule Dias

Preparations

AUTHORS NOTE:

I was off my ass hyper on coffee when I wrote this, but it looks pretty damn
good to me.
Reviews are welcome, as well are hearts & comments. All positive feedback will
be met with even more positive feedback, while unpleasant feedback will be dealt with
appropriately.
DO NOT SPAM THE COMMENTS
If we are good friends, chances are I'll read your stories without prompting, but if I don't know you
and you leave a comment begging me to read or review your story, you'll be met with an unpleasant response.
Sorry, not sorry.
Enjoy the story, and if you're interested in a next chapter, go ahead and leave a comment!
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CHAPTER II: PREPARATIONS
Benny awoke the next morning with a surprising lack of drive to exit his bed. Moreso than usual. He sat up, sighing as he rubbed the thick curls placed atop his head. He slowly got out of his bedroll, stepping over to the small trunk at the end of his cot, opening it and pulling out a worn polo, passed down through his family through the years. It wasn't fancy, but the light blue hues brought out his eyes, which were a deep cocoa color. He pulled on a pair of tightly fitting khakis, snug around the ankles and definitely plentiful in pockets. It wasn't his favorite outfit, but he needed to look presentable, today he was representing his people. His tribe.

He moved slowly towards the mirror, hands tracing over the pale skin that covered his face. His fingers dipped along with his dimples, moving up to skim over the bags under his eyes. He wasn't much, but he'd been promised a spot along side the Elder Counsel, thus making him an important representative of the youth in his tribe. He picked up a comb resting just before the mirror, running it through his hair before setting it back down.

He swiftly moved down the ladder that led to the living room, which was completely devoid of any belongings his parents had acquired over the years. They'd probably taken it all with them when they moved from the house and into their newly appointed quarters. A house not long down the trail from the Elder's Longhouse. Now it was his turn to make history in this house, collect trinkets and books and family photos... only to be removed once his children came of age and inherited the house. The empty house was built and composed of logs, more of a cabin than anything, though he preferred to call it a house. Made it feel more comfortable.

He checked the kitchen, finding an overwhelming lack of coffee, which made him groan once more, though this time, he sound much more pained. He reached for a cup anyways, settling on a cold cup of water. Never hurts to remain hydrated, or so he told himself in order to ignore the pain of being denied coffee this early in the day. Once he'd filled the cup, he took a long sip, rolling his eyes as he heard a knock at the door.

Carrying the cup with him, he approached the door, opening to find the most recently inducted Elder, an older man, who had just recently bore his first few grandchildren. His gray hair was combed back, a robe hiding his frail body. Alongside him stood a young woman, hair braided and knotted. She wore a simple dress, made from leathers and adorned by sparkling beads, made from expensive jewels and gems. She was obviously not from his tribe, obvious by the tattoos along the tops of her arms, and the beads threaded through her braids. Braids that looked unkempt and dirty. Her skin was also dark, sunkissed and freckled, not something often found within his tribe, unless you were a farmer.

"¿Este es mi esposo?" The woman said, Benny's ears perking at the foreign language. "Esta es su marido a ser, si." The Elder responded, not phased by the fact that she was speaking a language not native to their tribe. The woman grunted, arms crossed over her chest and an annoyed expression fresh on her features.

"So, are you going to tell me what she said?" Benny asked, looking at the Elder expectantly. "I asked if you were to be my husband." The woman said, voice heavily accented. She seemed annoyed, which made him feel even more anxious. He studied her features, round cheeks, small pointed eyes, and a pudgy nose that reminded him of a small child. Though something told him that behind those green eyes of hers was more venom than any one person should carry. "Do not speak about me as though I am not here, boy." She snapped, drawing a sorry expression from her husband to be.

"Sorry, I didn't want to assume that-" "That what? I was intelligent enough to be bilingual? How typical for someone of your tribe." She interrupted, rolling her eyes and looking anywhere but him. This marriage would be anything but pleasant, that much was clear so far. "Cálmate, querida, esto no será tan malo como usted piensa." The Elder said, raising a thin hand her way as if to calm her down. "Sí , anciano, mis disculpas." She said, uncrossing her arms and bowing her head, obviously apologetic for her hostility towards her husband to be.

The Elder was the first to break the silence, motioning for them both to enter Benny's home. Once they had, Benny shut the door behind them, watching as they walked through his bare living area and towards the fireplace. The Elder pulled a small book from a pocket within his robe, along with two rings. He waved them both over, Benny coming over first, the young woman following after, once she'd finished scoping out his cabin. Their home.

"Adriann Mearow Phyre, meet Benson Ian Caine, your husband to be. Benson Ian Caine, meet your wife to be, Adriann Mearow Phyre." The elder said, handing each a ring. "These are for the official ceremony, in two days time. Until then, we will follow both tribes traditions leading up to the wedding, beginning with Cloann's tradition, seeing as Adriann has promised to relocate so that you may finish your studies here." The Elder said, nodding respectfully towards Adriann.

He opened the book he'd previously withdrawn from his robe, setting it down on the mantle above the fireplace. He reached into his robe once more, pulling out small flowers that looked to have been carved from gems. He motioned for Benny to lean forward, winding the decorative flowers through his curly black hair. "This signifies the softer side of a warrior, the side only his significant other, and offspring shall know." The Elder announced to Benny, who nodded, glancing Adriann's way. She looked somewhat pleased, probably having experienced a few weddings within her tribe. He assumed from her satisfied look that it probably reminded her of home, something familiar to her.

"The next part may seem odd to you, close your eyes, and imagine your greatest fears." Benny did as instructed, but instead of being able to concentrate on his fears, he was instead plagued by the anxiety this engagement was causing him. "Traemos estos miembros de la juventud juntos en la preparación de su unión. Ellos no están obligados por el miedo, pero en su lugar, en el intento de reunir inteligencia y fuerza. Para crear un futuro mejor, para la tribu." The Elder re-sighted verbatim, upon collecting his book from the mantle and flicking through the pages.

Once the Elder had finished, Benny opened his eyes and glanced around, seeing Adriann staring at the floor rather than looking at either of the men in the room. "My turn." Adriann whispered, stepping forward to receive the honorary flowers gifted by her tribe. The Elder pressed them into her braids, making her look like royalty as her green eyes shifted upwards to grace the Elder's face with her gaze.

" Traemos estos miembros de la juventud juntos en la preparación de su unión. Ellos no están obligados por el miedo , pero en su lugar , en el intento de reunir inteligencia y fuerza. Para crear un futuro mejor , para la tribu."